Iranian president to visit India

[Indian wonk]

Iranian president Hassan Rouhani is likely to visit India soon.
According to Mohammad Haghbin Ghomi, consul general of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Hyderabad, the Iranian President has expressed interest to come to India. "Both India and Iran are preparing grounds for the visit," he said.

Ghomi told the media here on Wednesday that a great deal of progress had been made between the leaders of both countries. "The visit of the President of Iran is in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Iran recently," he said.

"In west Asia, India and Iran are two decisive powers that can cooperate in various fields complementarily," he said, adding that as part of strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, focus will be on building economic and business relations besides cultural affairs.

He expressed interest in "exploring the good economic potential of the six south Indian states" and welcomed businessmen, merchants and persons with economic interests to discuss opportunities. He said that the bilateral relation Iran shares with India will continue to flourish if "non-regional deterrent factors and forces do not interfere".

Ghomi condemned the US decision to make Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. He termed the decision as "imprudent and provocative" and called on the international community to intervene and stop implementation of the US decision. He said that the US decision would only serve the "Zionist regime's interests."

Referring to ISIS and terrorism, Ghomi said, "Daesh (ISIS) thoughts are consequential of the teachings of Wahabism and Takfirism. They are dangerous extremist ideas of anti-Quran and anti-religion. The countries that support these terrorist groups must be stopped from continuing their mischievous behaviour".

He said some countries, including the US and a few Arab countries in the region, despite the slogans they raise, had "failed to show solidarity and have deceived the public like the honeybee, which provides no honey."

Ghomi also said from Imam Khomeini's point of view, the process of unity among Muslims requires the creation of new symbols and institutions that are beyond time and place.


https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...n-ground-work-begins/articleshow/62192895.cms

 

[Indian wonk]

Hyderabad-Iran direct flight in the offing
The Consul General also highlighted that Iran was keen on exploring economic avenues in South India, especially in petrol products.
By | Published: 20th Dec 2017 3:43 pm Updated: 20th Dec 2017 4:16 pm

Islamic Republic of Iran Consul General of Hyderabad HE Mohammed Herghbin Ghomi (center) addressing Media at Council office Banjara hills in Hyderabad on Wednesday. Photo: Style Photo Service.
Hyderabad: Hyderabad could soon be connected to Tehran and Mashhad by a private direct flight, the new Consul General at the Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mohammad Haghbin Ghomi said at a press conference here.


“The proposal is under consideration. Mahan Air, a private Tehran-based airline, may soon start direct flights from Hyderabad to the Iranian capital and the Mashhad, the city known for pilgrimage tourism,” said Ghomi.

The Consul General also highlighted that Iran was keen on exploring economic avenues in South India, especially in petrol products.

“We are working to boost economic ties between Iran and South India at both the government and private level. Recently, representatives of a private Iranian firm called ‘Kesan’ came to Hyderabad to explore economic avenues. We have identified several chambers of commerce both in South India and Iran, and we are pushing for more collaboration between the Foreign Affairs and Finance Ministries of both countries,” said Ghomi.

Ghomi, who took charge in July this year, addressed the media for the first time on Wednesday, and expressed strong condemnation of the recent support to Israel by US President Donald Trump in the contentious issue of recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

The Iranian Consul General said Iran has condemned the move in the UN, and is seeking mobilise support against it from the Arab countries, through a strategic collaboration with help from Turkey.

A visit to New Delhi by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is in the offing, and is being worked upon by officials of both countries ever since Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Iran in March this year, Ghomi added.

Ghomi also spoke about the threat of extremism pronounced by terror outfits such as ISIS, and said that the only way to defeat such forces is for the Muslim community to unite as one.

“Unity, in our view, is the key to solve many issues faced by the Muslims. We must not fall for divisions of any kind,” he said.